Parent/Teacher Conferences -- Just Need Hugs

allynnegirl · 10-07-2005, 05:45 AM

DH & I went to parent teacher conferences last night. We have two wonderful children that are driving the teachers nutso. I have no complaints about the teachers - they are doing a marvelous job and adore my children.

DS (9) is ADHD and is on Adderall (cannot go higher on his dosage). He tries so hard, but is still having problems controling his fidgiting. He is also having lots of problems in his special reading class - especially spelling words with the correct vowels. He knows the sounds individually, but once put into a word - he loses it.

DD (7) is (undiagnosed) ADD and is on Concerta. The medication helps alot when it comes to controlling her impulses to say things she shouldn't. Her teacher told us that they just took a math test with DD right in front of her. Teacher had to say "go faster, faster, faster ..." She gave us an example - problem 6+2 = 8. Here is DD -- 6+2 = 8 -- doesn't write it down, does it again, doesn't write it down, does it again, etc. She has the right answer, but is hesitant to be wrong, so goes over it again and again and again.

We will be getting a referral for DD from her GP to the same Dr. DS is going to for testing and see what is going on and get the "correct" medication for her. The teachers are going to get together and test her for learning disabilities.

With all the problems we had with DS, I was sincerely hoping to not have go through this whole trial with her. *sigh*

Okira · 10-07-2005, 06:09 AM

Would you ever consider homeschooling?
Peace,
Okira

allynnegirl · 10-07-2005, 06:18 AM

Okira - the thought has crossed my mind, but unfortunately I have my own problems with anger, impatience and concentration (I am on medication also), so I would not be the best person to try and teach my children. Also, at this time, we need the two incomes.

So homeschooling is not an option.

smartmuse2 · 10-09-2005, 04:00 PM

Hi There!

I am a speech therapist and have also been a classroom teacher. It might be a good idea to check in with the special education teacher to see what kinds of modifications can be done to help your child in his regular ed classroom. You'd be surprised.

For example ... I have seen students sitting at their desks on a special kind of cushion. It's circular and flat (about 2 inches thick) and filled with air. It's made of heavy duty plastic (feels kind of like the stuff used for gel inserts for shoes). There are little fingers that stick up - made of the same gel. They are like a foot massager. When the children sit on them, they get the feedback from their bottoms. They are very comfortable to sit on, and help children fidget less. I've seen them used and students LOVE them.

In an inservice I went to, they took a regular unsharpened pencil and put 2 of those foamy "grips" on it - one near the top, the other near the bottom. The student put it on the floor and rolled it back and forth with his foot. It got the fidgets out and was silent. It didn't disturb any of the other students. This also works well to roll back and forth on their leg or on their desk (depending on what they like to fidget with).

In my own class ... I have a basket full of stress balls and koosh balls. Students are allowed to hold them in their hands (not throw them in the air). They can pick at them or squeeze them ... also another silent way for them to fidget.

Another idea is for the child to sit on an exercise ball instead of in a chair. This one can be a little more distracting for the class though (many other children may wish to have this option). You put a ring on the floor and the ball is inside so it doesn't roll around. The child must stay balanced on the ball and the fidgeting is re-directed.

A last option ... whenever there is a longer period of quiet required, I would send a child to the gym. I had made arrangements with the gym teacher that the child could do 3-4 laps running around the gym at top speed. That seemed to help get a lot of the wiggles out so he could concentrate.

These are a few of the "options" I've used with various students over the years that worked successfully. All options will not work in all situations or with all students. It just might be worth having a discussion with an "expert" that works with these children daily to find some non-intrusive modifications in your children's regular class.

Best of luck to you!

Bubbles · 10-09-2005, 06:42 PM

There was an episode about 2 weeks ago on Dr Phil, I normally would not recommend some TV shrink but he had on a guest that was considered the top ADHD Dr in the US. His findings have been that over 2/3 of kids diagnosed ADHD are diagnosed incorrectly and have learning disabilities rather than ADHD and always asks parents to show him the childs brain scans and 90% of these kids have NOT had a cat scan. According to him unless your child has had a brain scan they can not be properly diagnosed as ADHD and should certainly not be on medication.
You may just want to check the website and read this Drs information. It was eye opening for me. My best friend is a teacher and she has 7 kids in her class that were diagnosed ADHD and she has had her suspicions. Don't skimp on the testing.
This is just an FYI, I am no expert and I am sure you try and stay well informed. This Dr was very informative and talked to each parent with such compassion and concern that I thought you may be interested in reading his stuff.

allynnegirl · 10-11-2005, 08:22 AM

Thanks for the info, gals.

With DS we have done numerous fidget distractions. They seem to work for a while, then he gets use to them and the fidgeting starts up again.

DS has had his brain scan, blood work, etc. when he was referred to his pediatric neurologist (which is where we will be sending DD if I can get a referral from our GP).

gettingstrength · 10-11-2005, 09:14 AM

allynnegirl · 10-12-2005, 06:52 AM

Thank you gettingstrength, I needed that!!.

lalabella · 10-12-2005, 09:45 AM

Here's one more

I've heard that low carb or ketogenic diets help kids with ADHD, is this true? Just a thought... It sounds like you are doing a great job with them!

Lisa M · 10-12-2005, 12:15 PM

I feel for you. I have some experience with different things with my two boys.

Quote:

doesn't write it down, does it again, doesn't write it down, does it again, etc. She has the right answer, but is hesitant to be wrong, so goes over it again and again and again.

This sounds like OCD to me. I have a couple of family members with it and have read a lot about it. Does she have any anxiety symptoms?

srm · 10-14-2005, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smartmuse2

Hi There!

I am a speech therapist and have also been a classroom teacher. It might be a good idea to check in with the special education teacher to see what kinds of modifications can be done to help your child in his regular ed classroom. You'd be surprised.

For example ... I have seen students sitting at their desks on a special kind of cushion. It's circular and flat (about 2 inches thick) and filled with air. It's made of heavy duty plastic (feels kind of like the stuff used for gel inserts for shoes). There are little fingers that stick up - made of the same gel. They are like a foot massager. When the children sit on them, they get the feedback from their bottoms. They are very comfortable to sit on, and help children fidget less. I've seen them used and students LOVE them.

In an inservice I went to, they took a regular unsharpened pencil and put 2 of those foamy "grips" on it - one near the top, the other near the bottom. The student put it on the floor and rolled it back and forth with his foot. It got the fidgets out and was silent. It didn't disturb any of the other students. This also works well to roll back and forth on their leg or on their desk (depending on what they like to fidget with).

In my own class ... I have a basket full of stress balls and koosh balls. Students are allowed to hold them in their hands (not throw them in the air). They can pick at them or squeeze them ... also another silent way for them to fidget.

Another idea is for the child to sit on an exercise ball instead of in a chair. This one can be a little more distracting for the class though (many other children may wish to have this option). You put a ring on the floor and the ball is inside so it doesn't roll around. The child must stay balanced on the ball and the fidgeting is re-directed.

A last option ... whenever there is a longer period of quiet required, I would send a child to the gym. I had made arrangements with the gym teacher that the child could do 3-4 laps running around the gym at top speed. That seemed to help get a lot of the wiggles out so he could concentrate.

These are a few of the "options" I've used with various students over the years that worked successfully. All options will not work in all situations or with all students. It just might be worth having a discussion with an "expert" that works with these children daily to find some non-intrusive modifications in your children's regular class.

Best of luck to you!

WoW! some cool ideas!

allynnegirl · 10-18-2005, 06:01 AM

Thank you lalabella

Lisa M - No, she doesn't seem to have any anxiety problems. But, I will do some research on OCD. When I think of OCD, I think of Monk. Let's just say, she is not a clean freak!

DD's appointment with the pediatric neurologist is set for Oct. 27th (WOW - didn't expect one so soon!

).

CarbyCurse · 10-19-2005, 05:45 PM

OCD can be fixated on anything. Some people have to check and re-check a light, or have to touch something a set number of times before picking it up. It's a wiring problem, basically.

My neighbor was a hoarder of things and animals. She was far from a neat freak, for sure! If you asked her why she didn't throw away aluminum cans, for example, she couldn't tell you. Throwing them away just made her anxious.

allynnegirl · 10-20-2005, 05:53 AM

I guess I have OCD when it comes to plain M&M's. I have to put them in sets of all colors and then eat them from the least amount in a set to the most.

I have tried not to do this once, but I got anxious and HAD to separate them.

Weird!

Quote:

In an inservice I went to, they took a regular unsharpened pencil and put 2 of those foamy "grips" on it - one near the top, the other near the bottom. The student put it on the floor and rolled it back and forth with his foot. It got the fidgets out and was silent. It didn't disturb any of the other students. This also works well to roll back and forth on their leg or on their desk (depending on what they like to fidget with).

My kids had some of these foamy grips so today I told them to ask their teachers if they could try this. They were excited to try it. I

my kids.

Pamalee63 · 11-16-2005, 09:02 AM

That is some great info, Smartmuse! Thank you for sharing it.

10-07-2005, 05:45 AM	#1
allynnegirl MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,572 Gallery: allynnegirl Stats: 240/231/175 WOE: Low Carb Start Date: Restart: 11/28/08	Parent/Teacher Conferences -- Just Need Hugs DH & I went to parent teacher conferences last night. We have two wonderful children that are driving the teachers nutso. I have no complaints about the teachers - they are doing a marvelous job and adore my children. DS (9) is ADHD and is on Adderall (cannot go higher on his dosage). He tries so hard, but is still having problems controling his fidgiting. He is also having lots of problems in his special reading class - especially spelling words with the correct vowels. He knows the sounds individually, but once put into a word - he loses it. DD (7) is (undiagnosed) ADD and is on Concerta. The medication helps alot when it comes to controlling her impulses to say things she shouldn't. Her teacher told us that they just took a math test with DD right in front of her. Teacher had to say "go faster, faster, faster ..." She gave us an example - problem 6+2 = 8. Here is DD -- 6+2 = 8 -- doesn't write it down, does it again, doesn't write it down, does it again, etc. She has the right answer, but is hesitant to be wrong, so goes over it again and again and again. We will be getting a referral for DD from her GP to the same Dr. DS is going to for testing and see what is going on and get the "correct" medication for her. The teachers are going to get together and test her for learning disabilities. With all the problems we had with DS, I was sincerely hoping to not have go through this whole trial with her. sigh __________________ Diane Romans 3:23 - For all of sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Fitday: Makes the eyes bleed

10-09-2005, 06:42 PM	#5
Bubbles Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Live Free or Die Baby!!!!! Posts: 10,100 Gallery: Bubbles Stats: 140 lbs of flabby fun WOE: All the time Start Date: Feb 2003	There was an episode about 2 weeks ago on Dr Phil, I normally would not recommend some TV shrink but he had on a guest that was considered the top ADHD Dr in the US. His findings have been that over 2/3 of kids diagnosed ADHD are diagnosed incorrectly and have learning disabilities rather than ADHD and always asks parents to show him the childs brain scans and 90% of these kids have NOT had a cat scan. According to him unless your child has had a brain scan they can not be properly diagnosed as ADHD and should certainly not be on medication. You may just want to check the website and read this Drs information. It was eye opening for me. My best friend is a teacher and she has 7 kids in her class that were diagnosed ADHD and she has had her suspicions. Don't skimp on the testing. This is just an FYI, I am no expert and I am sure you try and stay well informed. This Dr was very informative and talked to each parent with such compassion and concern that I thought you may be interested in reading his stuff. __________________ I don't have a problem with anger, I have a problem with idiots. Just because I don't care, does not mean I don't understand.

10-19-2005, 05:45 PM	#13
CarbyCurse Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Midwest Posts: 23,778 Gallery: CarbyCurse Stats: Big/smaller/bigger again WOE: Atkins	OCD can be fixated on anything. Some people have to check and re-check a light, or have to touch something a set number of times before picking it up. It's a wiring problem, basically. My neighbor was a hoarder of things and animals. She was far from a neat freak, for sure! If you asked her why she didn't throw away aluminum cans, for example, she couldn't tell you. Throwing them away just made her anxious. Last edited by CarbyCurse : 10-19-2005 at 05:47 PM.

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10-07-2005, 06:09 AM	#2
Okira MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Southeast Posts: 1,229 Gallery: Okira Stats: 223/181/150 WOE: Atkins Start Date: August, 2005	Would you ever consider homeschooling? Peace, Okira

10-07-2005, 06:18 AM	#3
allynnegirl MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,572 Gallery: allynnegirl Stats: 240/231/175 WOE: Low Carb Start Date: Restart: 11/28/08	Okira - the thought has crossed my mind, but unfortunately I have my own problems with anger, impatience and concentration (I am on medication also), so I would not be the best person to try and teach my children. Also, at this time, we need the two incomes. So homeschooling is not an option.

10-09-2005, 04:00 PM	#4
smartmuse2 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: May 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,435 Gallery: smartmuse2 Stats: way too much / little too much / just right WOE: South Beach Start Date: July 2007	Hi There! I am a speech therapist and have also been a classroom teacher. It might be a good idea to check in with the special education teacher to see what kinds of modifications can be done to help your child in his regular ed classroom. You'd be surprised. For example ... I have seen students sitting at their desks on a special kind of cushion. It's circular and flat (about 2 inches thick) and filled with air. It's made of heavy duty plastic (feels kind of like the stuff used for gel inserts for shoes). There are little fingers that stick up - made of the same gel. They are like a foot massager. When the children sit on them, they get the feedback from their bottoms. They are very comfortable to sit on, and help children fidget less. I've seen them used and students LOVE them. In an inservice I went to, they took a regular unsharpened pencil and put 2 of those foamy "grips" on it - one near the top, the other near the bottom. The student put it on the floor and rolled it back and forth with his foot. It got the fidgets out and was silent. It didn't disturb any of the other students. This also works well to roll back and forth on their leg or on their desk (depending on what they like to fidget with). In my own class ... I have a basket full of stress balls and koosh balls. Students are allowed to hold them in their hands (not throw them in the air). They can pick at them or squeeze them ... also another silent way for them to fidget. Another idea is for the child to sit on an exercise ball instead of in a chair. This one can be a little more distracting for the class though (many other children may wish to have this option). You put a ring on the floor and the ball is inside so it doesn't roll around. The child must stay balanced on the ball and the fidgeting is re-directed. A last option ... whenever there is a longer period of quiet required, I would send a child to the gym. I had made arrangements with the gym teacher that the child could do 3-4 laps running around the gym at top speed. That seemed to help get a lot of the wiggles out so he could concentrate. These are a few of the "options" I've used with various students over the years that worked successfully. All options will not work in all situations or with all students. It just might be worth having a discussion with an "expert" that works with these children daily to find some non-intrusive modifications in your children's regular class. Best of luck to you!

10-11-2005, 08:22 AM	#6
allynnegirl MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,572 Gallery: allynnegirl Stats: 240/231/175 WOE: Low Carb Start Date: Restart: 11/28/08	Thanks for the info, gals. With DS we have done numerous fidget distractions. They seem to work for a while, then he gets use to them and the fidgeting starts up again. DS has had his brain scan, blood work, etc. when he was referred to his pediatric neurologist (which is where we will be sending DD if I can get a referral from our GP).

10-11-2005, 09:14 AM	#7
gettingstrength Big Yapper!!!! Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Tennessee Posts: 9,523 Gallery: gettingstrength Stats: 184 / 170 / ? WOE: atkins Start Date: 6 / 1 / 2002

10-12-2005, 06:52 AM	#8
allynnegirl MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,572 Gallery: allynnegirl Stats: 240/231/175 WOE: Low Carb Start Date: Restart: 11/28/08	Thank you gettingstrength, I needed that!!.

10-12-2005, 09:45 AM	#9
lalabella MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Northern California Posts: 1,671 Gallery: lalabella Stats: 269/249/160-ish 5'9" Start Date: restart Oct 08	Here's one more I've heard that low carb or ketogenic diets help kids with ADHD, is this true? Just a thought... It sounds like you are doing a great job with them!

10-18-2005, 06:01 AM	#12
allynnegirl MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,572 Gallery: allynnegirl Stats: 240/231/175 WOE: Low Carb Start Date: Restart: 11/28/08	Thank you lalabella Lisa M - No, she doesn't seem to have any anxiety problems. But, I will do some research on OCD. When I think of OCD, I think of Monk. Let's just say, she is not a clean freak! DD's appointment with the pediatric neurologist is set for Oct. 27th (WOW - didn't expect one so soon! ).

11-16-2005, 09:02 AM	#15
Pamalee63 Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Lubbock, TX Posts: 4,735 Gallery: Pamalee63 Stats: 246.5/240.8/175 (highest 260 in 1999) WOE: Atkins Start Date: 11/15/2008	That is some great info, Smartmuse! Thank you for sharing it.